Best SW Frequencies to Try First on ATS Mini V4
Shortwave broadcast schedules shift over time — treat these as a general starting map, and check a current online SW schedule database for exact active frequencies/times before assuming any specific one is still active.
General SW Broadcast Bands to Scan
- 49m band (~5.9-6.2MHz): historically one of the most active broadcast bands, especially evenings
- 41m band (~7.2-7.45MHz): another consistently active general broadcast band
- 31m band (~9.4-9.9MHz): strong daytime and evening activity from major international broadcasters
- 25m band (~11.6-12.1MHz): good daytime band
- 19m band (~15.1-15.8MHz): good for daytime DX, propagation-dependent
Ham Radio SSB Bands (see the SSB guide for LSB/USB convention)
- 40m (~7.150-7.300MHz, LSB): reliably active with ham conversations most evenings
- 20m (~14.150-14.350MHz, USB): strong daytime ham activity, good DX potential
General Tips
- Shortwave propagation is generally much better after dark, especially on lower frequency bands — try evening listening sessions first if daytime scanning seems dead
- Use Seek mode to auto-scan a band rather than manually stepping through frequency by frequency
- Check a current online shortwave schedule database (search "shortwave frequency schedule" for current options) for exact active broadcaster frequencies/times in your region before assuming a specific historical frequency is still in use
Related Guides
- ATS Mini V4 Unboxing & First Power-On: What's in the Box, Initial Setup
- Getting the Most from SSB (LSB/USB) on the ATS Mini V4
- Best Antennas for ATS Mini V4: Telescopic, Donut Loop, and External Options
- Building a DIY Antenna for the ATS Mini V4 on a Budget
- ATS Mini V4: Flashing Custom Firmware From Your Phone (ats-mini vs H.J. Berndt)
- Fixing the ATS Mini Donut WB Loop Antenna (Anti-Series Wiring Defect)
- H.J. Berndt Firmware for the ATS Mini V4: The In-Depth Guide
- Building a DIY Antenna for the ATS Mini V4 on a Budget
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